Key takeaways
- Orangeburg is a fiber pipe common in mid-century homes.
- It deforms, flakes and collapses over time.
- Some lines can be lined; collapsed ones need replacement.
- A camera inspection reveals which you have.
What Orangeburg is
Orangeburg is a pipe made of layered wood-pulp fiber saturated with coal tar pitch. It was used widely in homes built roughly from the 1940s to the 1970s because it was cheap and light.
Why it fails
The fiber absorbs water and softens over time. The pipe can ovalize, delaminate or collapse. Roots also enter easily.
Can it be lined?
If the pipe is still reasonably open and round, it can often be cleaned and lined, with the liner restoring a structural round pipe. If it is badly deformed or collapsed, a liner will not fit or hold.
When to replace it
Collapsed or heavily deformed Orangeburg is usually replaced by pipe bursting or a short excavation. Your camera footage will show which option applies.
Related services
Ready for a firm answer on your own pipe? Try the Pipe Problem Finder or call 800-224-9245 for a free camera inspection.